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Species · Michigan · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Michigan

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Michigan has surged: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

18×Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
80Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Red-bellied Woodpecker Trends in MichiganNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Red-bellied Woodpecker has surged in Michigan: up 18× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Forecast in Michigan

If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Michigan is projected to rise about 26% by 2029 — from 3.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.7 (95% range 3.5–5.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+26%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
4.7Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
3.5–5.995% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±10%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Michigan is projected to rise about 26% by 2029 — from 3.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.7 (95% range 3.5–5.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20254.43.25.6
20264.43.35.6
20274.53.35.7
20284.63.45.8
20294.73.55.9

Red-bellied Woodpecker Survey Routes in Michigan

Routes recording Red-bellied Woodpecker in Michigan.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Galesburg1420241966
Mottville1320241971
Fowlerville1220191974
Coopersville1120241984
Howardsville1020241970
Almena1020151993
Hamburg 2920242004
Holt820241970
Prattville820211973
Remus720241986
No Bradley720241993
Cohoctah720242021
Pleasant Valley 2720242004
Rochester720241993
Mayfield720222002
Bear Lake620241986
Lawrence620241970
Bravo620231974
Monterey620231978
Deckerville620241985
Hungerford620241991
Belding 2620242004
New Buffalo620141992
Barry S.G.A. 2620192013
Belding520031983

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.